24:1 | Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. |
24:2 | When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. |
24:3 | Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. |
24:4 | But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. |
24:5 | "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect |
24:6 | and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
24:7 | [But the commander, Lysias, came and with the use of much force snatched him from our hands and ordered his accusers to come before you.] |
24:8 | By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." |
24:9 | The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. |
24:10 | When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. |
24:11 | You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
24:12 | My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. |
24:13 | And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. |
24:14 | However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, |
24:15 | and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
24:16 | So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. |
24:17 | "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. |
24:18 | I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. |
24:19 | But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. |
24:20 | Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- |
24:21 | unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" |
24:22 | Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." |
24:23 | He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. |
24:24 | Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. |
24:25 | As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." |
24:26 | At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. |
24:27 | When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. |
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